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Grassroots efforts – The important Association member action

This report describes the life cycle of AUSA’s grassroots work from the creation of the Association’s annual resolutions to the creation of the next set of resolutions.

The resolutions are produced annually, and act as the basis for our legislative objectives for the year.

Chapters or individual members may submit proposed resolutions until July of each year.

The National Resolutions Committee membership, usually numbering about 14 AUSA members, is nominated by chapters and approved by the Association’s Council of Trustees.

The committee meets in Washington for three days before the Annual Meeting, and receives briefings from the Army staff.

The draft resolutions are voted on by the chapters and then are published and sent to every member of Congress, the media and opinion leaders – and they are posted on the AUSA website at www.ausa.org.

What is grassroots activity?

The dictionary definition is: "Involvement in the political process by an elected representative’s constituent through contact with the elected representative or a staff member."

Why is grassroots activity important to AUSA?

Much of the power of an organization comes from the number of members it has, and what they are willing to do and what they stand for.

AUSA has a strong and involved membership, but we don’t have the power and organization of a political party through which to funnel our legislative objectives.

Also, because AUSA is a non-profit, educational organization, it does not have a political action committee that can make monetary contributions.

What AUSA does have are members and the contact they can make with their members of Congress.

What are the keys to successful grassroots activity?

An important key are dedicated members who are informed about the issues, involved in the community and influential within community and with state officials including the local congressional office staffs.

Members and chapters are encouraged to send letters to members of Congress, using the AUSA website or snail mail.

Members can also visit the local congressional office, make speeches at local events to get the AUSA point of view out to influencers in the community or invite influencers to speak at AUSA events.

AUSA national headquarters assists by producing clear, coherent messages through the resolutions; editorials and letters from the AUSA president, Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret.; timely and important information that appears on the AUSA website, legislative alerts that are sent to keep members informed while engaging with members of Congress and their staffs in Washington.

We use the electronic legislative newsletter, published each Monday while Congress is in session, AUSA NEWS columns – Capitol Focus, View from the Hill, and the Bill Box – in addition to the Legislative Action Center where prepared letters are available for AUSA members to send to their representatives.

Our Chapters

AUSA's chapters are located world-wide. Their mission is to support our Soldiers and the civilians and families who work alongside of them in the local community. To learn how you can become involved click here.

Membership

Legislative Action

AUSA works diligently on Capitol Hill ensuring that our Soldiers and their families are taken care of. AUSA is also a watch dog for government civilian’s issues. To learn more about our work on Capitol Hill click here.